(revised 6/13/2022)
Chapter 2: Lethal Youth
Philip paced the length of his quarters, digital tablet in hand. In his native language he read line by line, the details of Sean Donovan's recent military career: Commended for his participation in military operations in Sacramento, no Human had ever achieved the highest rank in the Visitor Youth Core, but Sean did. He had been awarded the position of Captain in his squadron, after arranging for the brutal murders of two Human army officers. He had also taken part in the violent slaying of a small band of freedom fighters north of San Jose. Sean's military career concerned Philip. He wondered how he could return the monster-in-the-making to the father who loved him so much.
In preparation for transfer, Philip ordered that Sean would be weaned off Procorb, the Visitor drug that kept Human converts under the alien's control. Philip feared that due to the duration of Sean's prescription course, it would be weeks before his system would be free from the drug. Until then, the youth would suffer from severe withdrawal symptoms including hallucinations, nausea, chills, and violent outbursts. With the Los Angeles Mother Ship set to depart Earth's orbit tomorrow, Sean's return to the care of his father within the next 24 hours was an unfortunate necessity. Philip planned to brief Julie on how Sean was to be treated during this critical time.
He pulled a stylus from its hook on the tablet and started to add his own notes to the report. The report and his notes were to be translated from Sirian to English and accompany Philip and Sean to the resistance headquarters in the morning.
A buzzer sounded and Philip pressed the intercom button. "What is it?"
"Captain Connor, sir. Mr. Bates was detained and brought back to our ship."
Philip smiled. He knew this would be one less thing he needed to worry about. It seemed that Kyle Bates was to accompany him and Sean Donovan in the morning as well.
"Have his needs attended to and send him to the guest wing. I will send for him in the morning."
"He requested to be sent home this evening."
Philip sighed and ordered, "Have him sent to my quarters immediately."
"Yes, Sir."
A low supply of canned goods in the HQ pantry reminded Donovan that while the war had ended, its effects on food shortages would continue for quite some time. He pulled out a can of spaghettios, well past its expiration date, and slammed it on the counter. Then he found a jar of tamales, unexpired, but knew Julie would refuse both entrees, still good, or not. Donovan could not remember the last time they had fresh vegetables to eat. Given the water shortages in California, most foods had to be imported from surrounding states. Lately, he and his comrades had been living off the remnants of a large shipment sent courtesy of the White Christmas Group in New York, several months ago. What Donovan would not give for a plate of Julie's Beef Burgundy, or Elias Taylor's Shrimp Gumbo, a specialty of The Club Creole. If things went well, Donovan knew it would be just a matter of months before he could enjoy the dishes he had grown accustomed to working as a freelance newsman several years ago. Of course, that type of luxury would only return with adequate employment. But if Sean was as bad as the rumors spread throughout the Fifth Column claimed, then how could Donovan hold the job he hoped for?
Several months had passed since the last time he visited his Spanish Colonial Style home in Echo Park. He was behind on his mortgage payments as were most homeowners. Having lived underground these past several months, Donovan lost touch with the mortgage company. He hoped a trip to his abandoned home would come within the next few days. He had a small stash of collectible baseball cards stowed away in a secret location and thought perhaps they would bring enough money for him, Julie, and Sean to get back on their feet, that was if baseball cards were still popular. The Dodgers had not played since before the second invasion.
"What's for dinner?"
Julie's voice startled Donovan out of his baseball nostalgic reverie. He pulled a couple of cans out of the pantry. "Green beans, peas…"
With a slight shake of the head and a look of annoyance, Julie walked away. The CB radio on the countertop crackled to life.
"Cactus Flower, this is Eagle One."
Donovan recognized Maggie Blodgett's voice and snatched up the mic before Julie could. "Eagle One, what's your ten-twenty."
"You know where I am, Mike." Maggie chuckled. "Is Julie there?"
Grinning, Julie took the CB from Donovan's hands.
"Maggie, how are you?"
Donovan stayed close, curious to see how soon Julie planned to leave.
"Good. The war's over huh? How's everyone?" Maggie asked.
"We're all good," Julie said.
Donovan assumed she would go into the details of Elizabeth, Willie, and Kyle's departure later.
"Listen, I've been trying to get ahold of Chris. Have you heard from him lately?" Maggie asked.
Julie sounded just as baffled as Donovan was. "No, as far as I know, he and Ham are still in Chicago."
"Do you have a number?" Maggie pressed. "It's very important that I speak with him as soon as possible."
"Do you miss him?" Julie asked.
Maggie and Chris had ended their relationship several months before he left for Chicago. Donovan wondered if Maggie was having second thoughts about the breakup, and it did not surprise him Julie would ask such a question.
"I just need to talk to him," Maggie said.
"We'll look for the number," Julie replied, "But Maggie I have a huge favor to ask of you right now, that is if you're in a position to help me."
Donovan felt his eyes narrow and had to turn away from Julie. He reminded himself that it was selfish to try to force her to stay when Sean was not her responsibility.
"I'll GET HER BACK!" Kyle Bates' voice thundered over Maggie and Julie's chatter, startling Donovan. The young, ex-freedom fighter hurried in the front door with Philip on his heels.
"I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMNED HELP!"
"Maggie, I'll call you back," mumbled Julie, then clicked off the CB.
Donovan eyed Philip for answers, but Kyle was suddenly in his face, eyes raging.
"This is all your damned fault!"
"What is?" Donovan asked.
"You're so gullible."
"Kyle?" Julie asked, stepping closer to the two men as if she alone could quell a confrontation.
"What the hell did I do?" Donovan demanded.
"Don't let him talk you into it, Mike," Philip pleaded. "It could destroy the treaty."
"Do what?" Donovan asked, already tired of the monotony.
"I want her back. She's not safe up there," Kyle said.
Elizabeth. Donovan realized he was ranting about Elizabeth, and did not think there was anything he could do about the situation.
"You want me to fly you out there… bring her back home?"
"Precisely," Kyle said.
"We've already been through this, Kyle," Julie interjected. "If she wants to go, let her go. You can't force her to come back."
Kyle turned toward her. The rage had not left his eyes. "We can't trust them with her. You don't know what kind of danger she's in. There was an explosive device planted aboard that shuttlecraft, and it was meant to kill Elizabeth!"
Donovan turned to Philip for confirmation. Philip nodded.
"Is she alright?" Julie asked.
"How should I know? They escorted me back here and left her out there with that bastard." He turned to face Donovan again. "Please, man. You've got to help."
"Sorry, I can't right now," he replied.
"Oh, that's bull—"
"Kyle!" Julie snapped before he could finish the sentence. "Mike's waiting for Sean right now. He can't go anywhere."
"It's fine when it's someone he cares about, but not someone I care about."
"Now wait a minute, Pal," Donovan said, wondering, How can he make that accusation? Donovan had known Elizabeth since she was a few weeks old. And Kyle was only a part of Elizabeth's life for less than a year…
Again, Julie interrupted, placing her hand on Kyle's shoulder. He shrugged it away.
"We both care about Elizabeth, Honey," she said.
Kyle brushed past her and headed toward the men's dorm.
Donovan decided not to go after him but looked to Philip for answers instead.
"Have you located Sean?"
Philip nodded slowly and pulled the printed report from his uniform's pocket. "I'm afraid it isn't good, Mike."
"How much worse can it be?" Donovan said. He took the papers, unfolded them, and sat in a beat-up recliner.
Amid reading the report on Sean's so-called war heroics, Donovan saw Kyle pass in and out of the building several times with duffel bags and boxes. It was Julie who slipped outside to reason with him. By the time Donovan finished reading the five-page report, Julie had returned, and the sound of tires squealing outside could be heard.
Donovan watched Julie blink tears of defeat away.
"He's not coming back," she said. "What's the word on Sean?"
"I'll bring him here tomorrow, after his detox treatment," Philip said. "I've given Donovan a report on Sean's condition. He'll need constant supervision, and psychological treatment eventually. But the withdrawals from the Procorb will inhibit any therapeutic sessions for now."
Julie hesitated. "Okay… how long will he need to be monitored?"
"Months," Philip answered.
Donovan eyed Julie, and realized, …. She won't stick around for the duration. She just wants to get on with her life… her career.
"What are the withdrawal symptoms from Procorb?" she questioned, like any good doctor who cared ought to.
"Queasiness, vomiting, delirium," Philip said. "You'll want to make sure all the arms are secured. It could be that Diana has turned him against anyone who was close to him, as she often has in the conversion process. Donovan, you especially will want to take precautionary measures."
Between reading Sean's report and hearing Philip's advice to him and Julie, Donovan sensed the best place for Sean was confinement in an institution for the criminally insane. But he knew he would have to see Sean in person, and have Julie evaluate him before that conclusion could be reached.
The question remained; how long would Julie stick around?